Humidifying apparatus



March 21, 1933. F, A. ANETsBr-:RGER ET AL 1,901,888

HUMIDIFYING APPARATUS Filed June 28, 1928 ggf ffm@

J A i Patented Mar. 21, 1933 UlTED STATES naar rior;

I-IUFIIDIFYING- APPARATUS Application led June 28,

This invention'relates to improvements in humidifying apparatus. The invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with bakers ovens or proof boxes and v 5 is designed for generating steam or water vapor for the same.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a vaporizing apparatus of compact construction and having means for controlling the level of the water in the water holding tubes.

A further object relates to the arrangement of water holding tubes where more than one is employed and to the feeding of the water from the upper to the lower tubes.

Another object relates to the provision of improved valve construction for shutting off the water whenthe same has reached the proper height in the tube or tubes.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby steam of varying degrees of moisture can be emitted from the device when desired.

Other objects relate to various features y cn 25 of construction and arrangement of parts which will be apparent from a consideration of the following specication and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of a humidifying apparatus having a plu-' rality of water holding tubes;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional detailed view of a ,35 water controlling valve mechanism;

Fig. t is a fragmentary view of the right hand end of the device shown in Fig. 1 illustrating the control means for varying the degree of moisture carried by the emitted steam; p

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a valve controlled fitting;

Fig. 6 is a broken sectional view of a steam outlet nozzle. In Figs. 1 and 2, a form of vaporizing device embodying the invention is shown which is particularly adapted for use for supplying moisture to bakers ovens although it may be employed for supplying vapor to proof boxes if desired. In this form of the 1928. Serial No. 288,060.7-

invention an outer casing 52 is Vprovidedv which is preferably of sheet metal and'is provided with headers 53 and 54: which are provided with circular apertures for receiving the upper water tube 55 and two lower .55 water tubes 56. These tubes are closed at the right hand ends as viewed in Fig. 1, and open at the opposite ends.

Secured to the left end'of `the' casing 5.2 is a reservoir or well member 57, which?,0 may be connected to the said casing by welding, to provide a water tight construction. The end of the well is closed by a removable cover 58 which is bolted to an inner frame 59, the bolts passing through the inwardly 55 turned flange 60 of the well casing. It will be seen that the tubes 55 and 56communi cate through their open ends with the well which is designed to hold a quantity of water for supplying the lower tubes 56. Theft0 upper tube 55 is supplied with water through a suitable conduit such as the trough 61, the discharge end of which extends over a closure plate 62, extending across the lower portion of the open end of 75 the tube. An overflow pipe 63 is adjustable in the plate 62 whereby the level ofthe water in the tube 55 can be regulated. The trough 61 communicates with the fitting 64: secured to the wall of the well, Vas shown.80 in Fig. 2, and is connected by a short pipel section 65 with the T union 66, which is shown in section in Fig. 3, and is provided with a removable plug 67 to provide access t0 the valve mechanism hereinafter de- S5 scribed.

Water flows into the union 66 from a short pipe 66a connected by la T 66b to the water supply pipe 68, and thence intothe trough 61, from which it overflows into the bottomllo of the well and tubes 56 to the level deter-` mined by the float 68L which isv adjustably connected by the rod 69, to the valve operating rod 70. The T 66b has a drain plug 660.

Where it is desired to employ additional .9 tubes arranged vertically, the intermediate tubes will be provided with front plates similar to 62 of tube 55, which will catch the overflow lfrom the upper tubes as'willfbe apparent. 100

horizontal Apipe 86 having a union 87 at its Gas burners 71 are disposed one beneath each of the lower tubes 56, although additional burners may be provided if desired. The burners are connected at their forward ends by shut off valves 72 with the gas pipes 73. One of the tubes, preferably the upper tube 55, has a pipe 56 extending therefrom through which steam is carried Vto a proof box where it is desired to humidify both a proof box and an oven from the same apparatus. Steam to the oven passes through a pipe 74 above the normal water level of the tube 55, T 75 and pipe 76, which pipe terminates in a nozzle such as the plug 77 (see Fig. 6) having a passage 78 which terminates in an outlet 79 in a flat or plane face of the plug. In ejecting steam into ovens, it is essential that excessive condensation does not take place at the steam outlet, as such surplus moisture on vthe dough in ythe form of drops of water is objectionable. It has been found that where the steam outlet terminates in a plane or flat surface such as in the plufr 77 shown, or in a surface made plane by filing or otherwise cutting away a curved outer surface of the outlet member, dripping of water of condensation does not occur.

The fitting 75 is connected through short ipe 7 5a having a nipple 7 5b which projects mto the member 75 as shown in Fig. 5 and vby valve'80 to a second T union 81 which is connected by a pipe 82 to the end of the tube 55 at a point below the water line thereof. The valve 80 has an operating handle 83 outwardly of the cover 84.

A scale 85 is arranged along the edge of the opening in the cover 84 as shown in Fig. 5, for setting the handle in predetermined positions. As the handle is moved to the right or left, the valve 80, which may be of conventional construction, is opened or closed, thus establishing communication between the ipes 74 and 82, the former above, the latter lielow the water level in the tube `55. The slight pressure of the steam in the 80, whereby the moisture content of -the steam can be regulated.

Extending from adjacent the lower portion of the end of one ofthe tubes 56 is a outer end, one opening of which is closed by the plug 88 which may be yremoved for drainage purposes.

A vertical pipe 89 extends upwardly from the union 87 and is provided with a cap 90. The cap may be removed for determining the Water level in the tubes 56 inV setting the shut olf valve mechanism contained in the union 66.

It will be seen the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in which a plurality of heating tubes 55 and 56 are shown, the tubes have a larger vapor generating capacity than where a single tube with one burner is employed, other things being equal. The tubes being open to the well 57, the same outlets may be used for conveying the steam either to a proof box and oven or any other destination. A relief valve 91, of conventional construction is mounted in the top wall of the well or reservoir 57. A plate 92 is secured to a. wall of the well 57, and as shown by dotted lines, it is in overlapping relation with the union 66 to prevent the same from being removed readily after being properly positioned. A swivel 93 is provided in the arm to prevent bending or breaking the arm should the member 66 be turned without first detaching the float rod 69.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the maintenance of the proper level of vthe water in the tubes is effected by means of a shut off valve which is operated by the float 68u in the well 57. The rod 70 is pivoted at 94 and has an extension 95 engaging a threaded member 96 on an adjustable tappet or push pin 97, the lower headed end 97a of which is adapted to press against head 98 of the needle valve 99 to force the latter against its seat 100 in member 101 when the float 68a is elevated sufficiently by the water in the well. The tappet 97 preferably is provided with a slot 102 whereby when the threaded plug 67 is removed, the tappet can be adjusted so thatthe inflow of water will be stopped when it has reached the desired level in the well 57. A lock nut 103 may be provided to prevent the displacement of the tappet 97 from its adjusted position.

Although we have shown andv described certain vfeatures of our improvements for the purpose of' illustration, it will be apparent that various changes may be made vtherein without departing from the. spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

lVhat we claim is:

l. Apparatus of the Vclass described comprising a casing, a plurality of water holding tubes arranged therein in different horizontal planes, a well at one end vof said casing communicating with each of said tubes, a water yinlet communicating with said well, means for conducting water from vthe inlet to an upper tube, means for retaining a predetermined quantity of water in said tube and permitting the surplus to overflow into said well and thence to a lower tube, a float in said well for controlling the water level in the same and lower tube, means for supplying heat to said tubes, and vapor outlet means for the latter.

2. Apparatus of the class described comprising a casing, headers in said casing, upper and lower tubes supported by said headers, a well secured to one end of said casing and communicating with said tubes, a water inlet communicating with said upper tube for supplying water thereto, means for retaining a predetermined quantity of water in said upper tube and permitting the surplus to overflow into said well and lower tube, a float in said well, a fitting connecting said inlet to a source of water supply, a valve in said itting having an operating arm extending through said inlet and into said well, a float in the well secured to said arm for controlling the level of water in said well and lower tube, means for supplying heat to said tubes, and an exhaust conduit for carrying vapor from said tubes.

3. Apparatus of the class described comprising a casing, a plurality of water holding tubes therein arranged in diierent horizontal planes, a Well at one end of said casing affording inter-communication between said tubes, controlling means for maintaining water in said tubes and well at predetermined levels, means for supplying heat to said tubes, a vapor outlet conduit above the level of the water of one of said tubes, and a valve controlled conduit having one end beneath the water of said tube and communicating with said outlet conduit for admitting water into the vapor stream for varying the moisture content thereof.

4. Apparatus of the class described comprising a casing, a plurality of water holding tubes therein arranged in different horizontal planes, a well at one end of said casing affording inter-communication between .said tubes, controlling means for maintaining water in said tubes and well at predetermined levels, means for supplying heat to said tubes, a vapor outlet conduit above the level of the water of one oi" said tubes, and a valve controlled conduit having one end beneath the water level of said tube and communicating with said outlet conduit for admitting water into the vapor stream for varying the moisture content thereof, said yalve having a handle exterior of said casing.

5. Apparatus of the class described comprising a casing, a plurality of water holding tubes therein arranged in different horizontal planes, a well at one end of said casing affording inter-communication between said tubes, controlling means for maintaining water in said tubes and well at predetermined levels, means for supplying heat to said tubes, a vapor outlet conduit above the level of the water of one of said tubes, a valve controlled conduit having one end beneath the water level of said tube and communicating with said outlet conduit for admitting water into the vapor stream for varying the moisture content thereof, said valve having a handle exterior of said casing and a dial on said casing adjacent said handle for indicating the degree of opening of said valve.

6. Apparatus of the class described comprising a casing, headers in said casing supporting a plurality of water holding tubes, said tubes being closed at one end, a well secured to said casing in communication with the open ends of said tubes, a water inlet conduit for delivering water to said upper tube, a member over the lower portion of the open end of said tube to retain water therein, an adjustable overiow tube in said member for permitting water to fiow from said tube. into said well, a valve itting connecting said inlet conduit to a source of water supply, said valve havin' a iioat arm passing through said inlet con uit into said well for controlling the level of water in said well and lower tubes, and a removable closure member for one wall of said well providing access to the latter and to the tubes and float arm.

In testimony whereof, we have subscribed our names.

FRANK A. ANETSBERGER. WILLIAM ANETSBERGER. 

